Self-Destruction, the Disintegration and Decay of the United States Army During the Vietnam Era

Author: Cincinnatus. Title: Self-destruction, the disintegration and decay of the United States Army during the Vietnam era / by Cincinnatus. Edition: 1st ed. Publisher: New York : Norton, 1981. Edition Date: 1981 Language: English Notes: Includes index. Physical Details: 258 p. ; 25 cm. Subjects: United States.--Army. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--United States.

This is book a must for anyone who wants to understand what happened in Vietnam. The author, a Pentagon staffer in the early 1980's, based his work on interviews of U.S. Army Vietnam vets at all ranks; because so many of them would only speak off record, he decided to make all of his sources anonymous.Beginning with the assertion that every country which finds itself in the aftermath of defeat must absorb the lessons inherent in its failure, "Cincinnatus" looks at the military errors, both tactical and strategic. There is no discussion of errors by the politicians - save for the assertion that the top brass should have spoken up when ordered to do foolish things, and in failing to do so let down their country. Likewise, there is no discussion of the effect of the anti-war movement on the conflict's outcome. No, "Cincinnatus" asserts that Vietnam was lost ON THE BATTLEFIELD, and rejects the "stabbed in the back" argument with vehemence, arguing that it serves no good purpose, and indeed might well harm the nation in the years to come.So this book speaks in considerable detail of how the military blundered. From "ticket-punching" careerism and the devaluation of medals into "gongs", to ignorance of the culture, language, and history of Vietnam, to an excessive reliance on firepower combined with an inability to fight at effectively at night or join battle with the enemy at times and places of OUR choosing, "Cincinnatus" is scathing in his criticism of our military performance.It's a powerful indictment of the U.S. military; but what makes this book even more incredible is how "Cincinnatus" speaks of what must be done to correct the problems. It's clear that he wrote this book, not out of bitterness, but in hopes that it would be read and changes made. His book ends sounding a warning, calling upon the military to repair the damage, in hopes of avoiding another defeat.SOMEONE heard him: the book was published shortly after the invasion of Granada, and within the next 6-7 years sweeping changes were made, with the result that, when war came again in 1990 (in the Gulf), almost NONE of the mistakes cited by "Cincinnatus" were committed, and a stunning victory was won as a consequence.And that, to me, is the REAL value of this book. It not only explains the tragedy of Vietnam, but the heady victory that American arms won just 15 years later on the sands of Southern Iraq and Kuwait.Any serious military historan will want to have this book in her/his collection.